Walking down Dumbarton Road when the heavens suddenly opened and a deluge of August rain dropped from the skies. Instinctively, we ducked into an inviting doorway and were suddenly stood in the middle of the dinning room before we realised it was the delightfully nammed Roastit Bubbly Jocks.
In the evening there’s more of a buzzy bistro vibe, during the day this is every inch of the Glasgow cafe environment. Somewhere that we’re pre-programmed to seek shelter from the storm, whatever form it may take. It’s a space for a pause, forensic examination of local gossip, a bit of sustenance and a strong cup of tea.
Quirkily dressed in paintings, pictures and kitsch items, Roastit Bubly Jocks serve a two course lunch for the bargain price of £7.50 Tuesday-Friday. You can have three courses for £10.50, which wouldn’t cover the cost of a hipster small plate elsewhere in the West of the city.
Old fashioned dishes like creamy garlic mushroom puff pastry tart and banana toffee pudding rub shoulders with grilled halloumi and pomergramate salad or hummus and roasted chickpeas.
There’s a breakfast menu that stretches into the afternoon with a Glasgow fry up or filled breakfast rolls.
During our accidental visit, one of us ordered the French toast with bacon for £7.95, the other chose a toasted granary bread sandwich with breaded fish, lettuce, tomato and gherkins for the other side (£6.95).
We know from evening visits that they serve simple food made well. That is exactly what we got. After clearing our plates, taking in every curious feature of the room and spotting sunlight returning to Partick, we headed back out feeling the benefits of a restorative dose of Glasgow hospitality.
SAMPLE TWO COURSE MENU £7.50
Soup of the Day & Crusty Bread
Grilled Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad
Soused Herring and Potato Salad with Oatcakes
Scotch Beef Mince and Tatties
Beer Batter Fish & Hand Cut Chips
Vegetarian Haggis Fritters with Chilli & Pepper Sauce
Chocolate and Hazelnut Sundae
Steamed Sponge Pudding, Berry compote & Custard
Raspberry Eton Mess
Roastit Bubbly Jocks
450 Dumbarton Road
Glasgow
G11 6SE